![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ihatedrugs on September 18, 2012, at 0:41:08
I wonder what would we be doing if we didn't suffer from this illness?
I would be working in my studio. Spend summers in France partaking in painting workshops. No anxiety, no fear, no tears, no insomnia.
No more envying those who enjoy sunsets...Oh well,
ihatedrugs
Posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:44:44
In reply to What would we be really doing?, posted by ihatedrugs on September 18, 2012, at 0:41:08
> I wonder what would we be doing if we didn't suffer from this illness?
>
> I would be working in my studio. Spend summers in France partaking in painting workshops. No anxiety, no fear, no tears, no insomnia.
> No more envying those who enjoy sunsets...
>
> Oh well,
> ihatedrugs
You really have an appreciation for life and are still full of positive energy. I hope you can soon enjoy those sunsets. You deserve it.As for me, I don't know what I would do right now if I were to become well today. My perceptions and outlook change dramatically when I am in remission such that my plans in life change as well. So, right now, I am uncertain as to what I will want to do as I approach remission. Either way, my goal is to return to employment. Too many years have passed for me to go back to school. I am looking for financial independence and stability. When I was younger, I wanted to become a MD/PhD in psychiatry and the neurosciences. I had a passion for medicine and healing people. Gone.
Still, I look forward to a bright future and enjoying sunsets. Right now, the sun is rising.
- Scott
Posted by Chris O on September 18, 2012, at 10:24:46
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » ihatedrugs, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:44:44
Scott:
"My perceptions and outlook change dramatically when I am in remission such that my plans in life change as well."
God, I completely identify with this. It's impossible to explain to people who don't struggle with chronic mental illness, especially to people who think "You can't get better if you don't make plans for the future" and all that yadda-yadda-yadda. Frustrating. It's like I cannot see when I am in the illness.
Posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2012, at 11:08:13
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » SLS, posted by Chris O on September 18, 2012, at 10:24:46
I'd still be Nursing. But would have to not have the back pain. This is my passion always was. I literally loved Nursing when others thought of it as a job. I'd also still be running and lifting weights. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on September 18, 2012, at 21:19:52
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing?, posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2012, at 11:08:13
I'd be in a more senior position at work, I'd still own a house, and I'd likely be in a relationship.
Posted by bleauberry on September 19, 2012, at 14:01:24
In reply to What would we be really doing?, posted by ihatedrugs on September 18, 2012, at 0:41:08
I would be accomplishing more. More productive. Other than that, I would be doing the same things I do now. Work every day. Engaged in a hobby and keep getting better at it. Public appearances. Joining hands with Jesus in this journey called life. On bad days things are very hard. Good days, easier. But never easy. I truly believe part of winning the war against psychiatric symptoms is to defy them, despite they still feel like crap, and do the right stuff anyway. It helps steer all the brain stuff in the healthy direction. Retreating from the world because one feels such gloom, well, I totally get that, totally. Been there too many times. It's just that, hard to say, but when we just get out and do whatever anyway, it basically sends a loud message, "I don't like this enemy trying to defeat me, and I'm going to fight him on the streets because if I stay on the couch he's gonna kill me.."
Posted by ChicagoKat on September 19, 2012, at 16:02:07
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » ihatedrugs, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:44:44
> > I wonder what would we be doing if we didn't suffer from this illness?
> >
> > I would be working in my studio. Spend summers in France partaking in painting workshops. No anxiety, no fear, no tears, no insomnia.
> > No more envying those who enjoy sunsets...
> >
> > Oh well,
> > ihatedrugs
>
>
> You really have an appreciation for life and are still full of positive energy. I hope you can soon enjoy those sunsets. You deserve it.
>
> As for me, I don't know what I would do right now if I were to become well today. My perceptions and outlook change dramatically when I am in remission such that my plans in life change as well. So, right now, I am uncertain as to what I will want to do as I approach remission. Either way, my goal is to return to employment. Too many years have passed for me to go back to school. I am looking for financial independence and stability. When I was younger, I wanted to become a MD/PhD in psychiatry and the neurosciences. I had a passion for medicine and healing people. Gone.
>
> Still, I look forward to a bright future and enjoying sunsets. Right now, the sun is rising.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>Scott, you remind me of myself. When I was younger I dreamt of being a psychiatrist. I even went to med school for two years until some very bad episodes in my life plus the depression/anxiety I've also fought put an end to that dream. I was already a PharmD, so I went back to that, only working part time. Eventually my disease got so bad that I lost my job from calling in too often (especially when I was enduring ECT). So I suppose, if it weren't for my illness, I'd be a psychiatrist, doing my best to help those who suffer terribly from the pain and devastation of life caused by their disease. All I worked for is gone. Right now my only dream is to feel well enough to sit and enjoy a good book. DEPRESSION SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kat
Posted by ChicagoKat on September 19, 2012, at 16:50:14
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » SLS, posted by ChicagoKat on September 19, 2012, at 16:02:07
> > > I wonder what would we be doing if we didn't suffer from this illness?
> > >
> > > I would be working in my studio. Spend summers in France partaking in painting workshops. No anxiety, no fear, no tears, no insomnia.
> > > No more envying those who enjoy sunsets...
> > >
> > > Oh well,
> > > ihatedrugs
> >
> >
> > You really have an appreciation for life and are still full of positive energy. I hope you can soon enjoy those sunsets. You deserve it.
> >
> > As for me, I don't know what I would do right now if I were to become well today. My perceptions and outlook change dramatically when I am in remission such that my plans in life change as well. So, right now, I am uncertain as to what I will want to do as I approach remission. Either way, my goal is to return to employment. Too many years have passed for me to go back to school. I am looking for financial independence and stability. When I was younger, I wanted to become a MD/PhD in psychiatry and the neurosciences. I had a passion for medicine and healing people. Gone.
> >
> > Still, I look forward to a bright future and enjoying sunsets. Right now, the sun is rising.
> >
> >
> > - Scott
> >
> >
>
> Scott, you remind me of myself. When I was younger I dreamt of being a psychiatrist. I even went to med school for two years until some very bad episodes in my life plus the depression/anxiety I've also fought put an end to that dream. I was already a PharmD, so I went back to that, only working part time. Eventually my disease got so bad that I lost my job from calling in too often (especially when I was enduring ECT). So I suppose, if it weren't for my illness, I'd be a psychiatrist, doing my best to help those who suffer terribly from the pain and devastation of life caused by their disease. All I worked for is gone. Right now my only dream is to feel well enough to sit and enjoy a good book. DEPRESSION SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Kat
>
>P.S. Scott, I meant to mention that you obviously have a huge understanding of the meds used to treat mental illness, not to mention all the neurotransmitters and how the meds affect them. You have helped scores ir not hundereds of people on this forum with your vast knowledgs. So you may not have become an MD/PhD, but you are still doing what you set out to do: helping people while using medical knowledge you must have gained on the way. I, for one, am one of the number you helped. So thank you!!! :)
Posted by SLS on September 19, 2012, at 19:37:31
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » ChicagoKat, posted by ChicagoKat on September 19, 2012, at 16:50:14
Posted by ihatedrugs on September 19, 2012, at 23:22:50
In reply to What would we be really doing?, posted by ihatedrugs on September 18, 2012, at 0:41:08
"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
Leonard CohenGreetings,
ihatedrugs
Posted by Raisinb on September 20, 2012, at 0:12:44
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing?, posted by bleauberry on September 19, 2012, at 14:01:24
Great post. One of the hardest things I've had to accept is that I will not have a good day every day. In fact I'll have some horrible days. But knowing its just a feeling, that I can keep trying my best to move forward in life anyway, is an attitude I want to keep. Not that I can all the time, of course.
Reading books on ACT has helped me with this outlook. The main point of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is to accept your feelings and illness, and commit to valued action anyway. Honestly this makes the most sense to me because I have to realize that I may never be in complete remission, but I can still take steps to make my life better.
Posted by SLS on September 20, 2012, at 0:53:26
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » bleauberry, posted by Raisinb on September 20, 2012, at 0:12:44
> Great post. One of the hardest things I've had to accept is that I will not have a good day every day. In fact I'll have some horrible days. But knowing its just a feeling, that I can keep trying my best to move forward in life anyway, is an attitude I want to keep. Not that I can all the time, of course.
>
> Reading books on ACT has helped me with this outlook. The main point of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is to accept your feelings and illness, and commit to valued action anyway. Honestly this makes the most sense to me because I have to realize that I may never be in complete remission, but I can still take steps to make my life better.Nice.
I try to use all of what little God gives me to work with. Even healthy people have their limitations. I don't know. I guess it comes down to choosing between being as positive and constructive as possible or allowing the illness to win and being as miserable as possible.
- Scott
Posted by brynb on September 20, 2012, at 8:26:40
In reply to There is a crack in everything..., posted by ihatedrugs on September 19, 2012, at 23:22:50
> "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
>
> Leonard Cohen
>
>
>
> Greetings,
> ihatedrugsI love Leonard Cohen, and I love this quote (I forget which song it's from). I think a poster here, papillon, uses this as her signature.
I don't work with a conventional therapist, rather a life coach/healer who has helped me to view my struggles as gifts, as clarification. Maybe we (the "psychologically challenged") are in fact blessed as we learn to navigate a different path in life, one which has made us more aware than the average folks. Just musing aloud...
Posted by ChicagoKat on September 20, 2012, at 9:28:47
In reply to Re: There is a crack in everything..., posted by brynb on September 20, 2012, at 8:26:40
> > "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
> >
> > Leonard Cohen
> >
> >
> >
> > Greetings,
> > ihatedrugs
>
> I love Leonard Cohen, and I love this quote (I forget which song it's from). I think a poster here, papillon, uses this as her signature.
>
> I don't work with a conventional therapist, rather a life coach/healer who has helped me to view my struggles as gifts, as clarification. Maybe we (the "psychologically challenged") are in fact blessed as we learn to navigate a different path in life, one which has made us more aware than the average folks. Just musing aloud...
>
Peter GabrielCome back Mom and Dad
You're growing apart and I'm growing up sad
I need some attention
I shoot into the lightFor all of those who suffered parental divorce as children and, more importanly, emotional neglect because of it. And to all of those who were abused as kids, no matter what kind of abuse it was.
Kat
Posted by huxley on September 22, 2012, at 5:56:01
In reply to Re: There is a crack in everything..., posted by ChicagoKat on September 20, 2012, at 9:28:47
Im doing it. Enjoying life.
Its a funny feeling after being on a 10 year nightmare with meds.I got off all meds and am 'cured'.
Posted by phillipa on September 22, 2012, at 19:22:58
In reply to Re: There is a crack in everything..., posted by huxley on September 22, 2012, at 5:56:01
That's fantastic!!! Phillipa
Posted by brynb on September 23, 2012, at 18:07:53
In reply to Re: There is a crack in everything..., posted by huxley on September 22, 2012, at 5:56:01
> Im doing it. Enjoying life.
> Its a funny feeling after being on a 10 year nightmare with meds.
>
> I got off all meds and am 'cured'.
>hi huxley,
that's great. what was your diagnosis and how'd you go about getting better and off meds? curious to know.
i often think about going off of psych meds, but if previous attempts dictate anything, then i need 'em.
-b
Posted by ihatedrugs on September 24, 2012, at 2:38:07
In reply to Re: What would we be really doing? » ihatedrugs, posted by SLS on September 18, 2012, at 8:44:44
Posted by ihatedrugs on September 24, 2012, at 2:58:37
In reply to Re: There is a crack in everything..., posted by brynb on September 20, 2012, at 8:26:40
> > "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
> >
> > Leonard Cohen
> >
> >
> >
> > Greetings,
> > ihatedrugs
>
> I love Leonard Cohen, and I love this quote (I forget which song it's from). I think a poster here, papillon, uses this as her signature.
>
> I don't work with a conventional therapist, rather a life coach/healer who has helped me to view my struggles as gifts, as clarification. Maybe we (the "psychologically challenged") are in fact blessed as we learn to navigate a different path in life, one which has made us more aware than the average folks. Just musing aloud...
>
Although it's very hard to think of this disease as a blessing, I do understand what you're saying. This illness has definitely made me more compassionate toward others. Before I became ill, I wasn't too empathetic of other people's feelings. I just wanted to have a great life, career, friends etc. But boy, life has a way of smacking you upside the head.I believe the song title is "Anthem".
Greetings,
ihatedrugs
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.